Using these tools can save you time - and headaches - when DP’ing your next project.

By default, filmmakers are gear-heads and equipment-junkies. The profession is always changing, and therefore so are the tools that we use. However, there a few timeless accessories that every beginner DP should own, and carry with them on each project.

These lesser-known, but tried-and-true accessories can save you time - and headaches - when DP’ing your next project. Because as a director of photography just starting out, you’re constantly learning how to work quickly and efficiently while simultaneously engineering ingenious workarounds for the problems that arise on set.

And without the basic tools for caring for and maintaining your equipment, troubleshooting technical issues that arise, and capturing the best possible images with your gear, your job becomes frustrating and more time consuming.

So why make your job harder when there’s an easy fix?

The Tools

Of course, a DP should have access to the equipment, lighting gear, and lens kits he or she will be working with on the project, as well as a working knowledge of the equipment. Additionally, they should spec out supporting gear such as external monitors, grip and stabilization, and whatever else they’ll need for the shoot.

#1. LED pocket light

Light leaks and lens flares are considered to be a desired effect by some DPs. Especially if they’re trying to achieve a more natural aesthetic. A small, pocket-sized LED light is great to have in your camera bag. It’s especially handy when you’re in a pinch and want to add a light leak or lens flare.

Filming with a DSLR gives us the opportunity to shoot with a shallow depth of field (to get that out of focus background look that all clients want). When shooting like this, however, you might shocked when you get to post and find that not nearly as many things are in focus as you thought. In this post we break down 3 tools that help nail focus every time you're shooting.

While filming on location, there are many things working against you. With many things you can't control, such as traffic noise, babies crying and even the faintest hum of the refrigerator, you'll want to make sure you're well prepared to make post production easier. We reached out to our friends at Archaius Creative and asked them for tips for recording audio on location. In the video below, Brian discusses 3 tips that will surely make you pleased in post!

Mixed lighting in filmmaking and photography typically coincides with sweat, fear and nervous ticks. If you don't know what to do, you'll find yourself spending long nights at the computer attempting to figure out the right tint to add or subtract in order to make the scene look natural. In this post, we cover 4 solutions to try when you find yourself in one of these sticky situations!

There are incredible stories all around us, waiting to be uncovered and brought to life. At LensProToGo we are so thrilled to be able to be a part of these projects through EQUIP: Helping Creatives Create.

Our first artist to be helped through this program is a young filmmaker from Chicago, Illinois, Vashon Jordan Jr, who is a recent graduate at Brooks College Prep. This fall he’s off to Kennedy-King College for his associate's degree and plans to attend Columbia College Chicago to complete his Bachelors in Television Production.

Lighting vehicle interiors for a film has always been a somewhat tricky task. Small confined spaces and power requirements make traditional hot lights impractical, not to mention, dangerous. In this post, we’ll look at 3 compact lights for lighting talent in a car.

As kids, most of us dream of being cowboys. Ryan Connolly of Film Riot made this dream come true for his crew during the making of Westward to Yuma. Watching the short you may immediately jump to the conclusion that with the location, costumes, props and, most important, quality of film, Ryan had a big budget to work with. You might be surprised to learn that with the gear listed below, they filmed the entire low budget short in just 1 day. Watch the full film here:

For this blog post, we reached out to our filmmaking friend Matt Davis of Studio Sherpas. We asked Matt what he believed was the secret sauce to building a creative business. Below is what he had to say.

What comes to mind when you think about a GoPro camera? Probably snorkeling, mountain biking, snowboarding, skydiving, or…weddings? Okay, probably not that last one, until now!

GoPros are little, lightweight, and ridiculously easy to toss into your camera bag on wedding days. But what for, you ask? Surprisingly, quite a few things! Here are 10 ways to use the small-but-mighty camera at your next wedding.